But who's complaining? It's a never-ending pleasure to find newcomers or oldcomers that have escaped our attention for one reason or another. Here are just a few of the places we're already considering adding to the list:
NORTHWEST
Fish Out of Water
County Highway 30-A (WaterColor Inn)
Seagrove Beach
850/534-5000
In the heart of the 499-acre WaterColor coastal resort and community adjacent to the Grayton Beach State Recreation Area (where the annual Taste of 30-A Food Festival is held every October), this second-floor formal escape from all the casualness of beach and byways is a stunningly designed tribute to the South and the sea all around, with a fine exhibition grill kitchen, an ice bar chilling fresh seafood and a private dining room embraced by 400 bottles of wine. Fresh catch of the day is the specialty, and there's a special breakfast room for freshness from the land, smoked seafood, cheeses and good coffee.
CENTRAL
Pebbles
2516 Aloma Ave.
Winter Park
407/678-7001
12551 State Road 535
Orlando
407/827-1111
2110 W. State Road 434
Longwood
407/774-4578
Three of Manny Garcia's original Pebbles overperformers are back in full swing -- the fourth, on Church Street in downtown Orlando, was converted to a splendid Kres Chophouse & Lounge, one of this year's Top Newcomers -- as we confirmed working through such old favorites as caviar flatbread, nutty cheesy salad, tempura blackened Florida grouper and their special grilled chicken, mojo marinated and flattered with Monterey Jack and Smithfield ham, all served by a caring staff proud of and knowledgeable about the menu, which changes frequently.
Old Germany
2054 N. State Road 436
Winter Park
407/657-6800
Pete and Petra are responsible for bringing the flavors of the German kitchen, Southern Swabian-style, to the lovers of what they call the "World's Best Brats," spiced red smoked Polish kielbasa, knackwurst and coarse ground Italian sausage plus "leberkaese" meatloaf, goulash, rouladen, sauerbraten, pork knuckles cooked in sauerkraut and the most popular food during "Oktoberfest," pork shanks. There's lighter sandwich fare, good made-from-scratch salads, plus chef Petra's made-out-back hot onion cakes, potato pancakes, even a huge pretzel served with butter, mustard and Swiss cheese. And for finishers, try the apple strudel or hot caramelized apples.
SOUTHWEST
The Watering Hole
Highway 27
Sebring
863/382-4554
Way off the beaten paths but praised by fans who insist it's the best steakhouse in the state, better than Bern's in Tampa and the other high-fliers. Lamb is also worth the trip, and the Cracker Mixed Grill, a combination of New York strip and filet mignon, always draws raves. Eat inside or out, where there's a "thickee" hut shelter made by Seminole Indians, and Bully, the 14-foot gator, to add to the old-timey flavor. Ultra-casual, but no "muscle shirts" please.
SOUTHEAST
Little Moir's Food Shack
103 S. U.S. 1
Jupiter
561/741-3626
Mike Moir spent 10 years learning his craft in Juno at the Reef Grill, where he built a loyal legion of fans who respected his skills selecting fresh seafood and then handling it with considerable TLC as well as artistic skill. Noon and night, the crowds line up for a chance to share such memorable creations as fillets of fresh fish coated with sweet potato or a variety of more exotic fixins, featuring Caribbean and Asian fusions, with cilantro and lime, capers and strands of ginger set awash with coconut milk. The menu here changes daily.
Renzo's Cafe & Pizzeria
6900 N. Federal Highway
Boca Raton
561/997-8466
With a shrewd eye to market and tradition, Lorenzo and Sara Sciortino, proprietors of Renzo's wonderful ristorante down the street, spun off a white little Italian castello on the very site where Boca's first pizzeria once stood -- a few hundred restaurants ago. Panino caldi and panini freddi (hot and cold subs), wraps, pasta, calzones and strombolis are assembled to order, and there's a grand selection of Renzo's "gourmet pizzas," 22 of them, including zingers with toppings of clams casino and shrimp scampi, arugula and barbecue chicken, and "Ain't Nothing Like A Chicken Wing" with bleu cheese, mozzarella and "wing sauce."